Originally spelled
Gulph Prairie, this was a settlement that predated the Texas Revolution.
By the 1830s the community was settled by the Bryan, Perry, and Austin
families - a fact attested to by the tombstones in the cemetery.

A post office operated at Gulf Prairie from 1848 to 1866 and the school
reportedly had forty-one students in 1906. The cemetery and church
are about all that remains of the community today.

The
Church and Cemetery at Gulf Prairie
Photo Courtesy of Julie McConnell

The Cemetery:

The Gulf Prairie Cemetery was once a part of Peach Point Plantation.
It was in use as early as 1829. The cemetery once held the remains
of Stephen F. Austin, before they were moved to the State
Cemetery in Austin. The diary of Mary Austin Holley describes
Peach Point Plantation is some detail as well as other coastal towns
like Matagorda.

Holley was
a cousin of Stephen F. Austin and wrote the first accurate published
observations of Texas. Stephen Austin had suffered from malaria for
many months and was on his way to Peach Point when he died in Columbia
after contracting pneumonia. His voluminus papers and correspondence
was stored at Peach Point. His death occurred Dec. 27, 1836.

Photographer's Note: Gulf Prairie Cemetery in Jones
Creek:
It's quite tranquil and pretty, but if you visit during the summer
make sure you bring some Off! The Church, appears to be quite old
and is definitely still in service.

Brazoria County is loaded with pre-20th century history, but very
little tangible evidence is left. It's cemeteries are the exception;
history still seems to be very alive in them; not to mention that
they are very picturesque and photogenic. Thanks. - Julie McConnell,
July 06, 2002